116 Years Ago
The September 10, 1908 Colorado Transcript shows a lively saloon scene, with many of our local businesses advertising their "Fine Wines, Liquors, and Cigars," "Choice Wines, Liquors and Cigars," and "Finest and Largest Stock of Tobaccos and Candies."
110 Years Ago
Six years later, the temperance movement was gaining steam. While the goal was to establish a nation-wide ban on alcohol, one of the movement's tactics was to push bans in individual states or counties or municipalities. The September 17, 1914 Colorado Transcript includes an opinion piece by a Senator-elect from Alabama:
Opposes State Wide Prohibition
The liquor question is one for settlement by each individual community according to the wishes of that community. It is undemocratic and wrong from one community to attempt to be the keeper and disciplinarian of another.
The same issue of the paper included an article entitled:
President Wilson Favors State-Wide Prohibition
Colorado was experiencing labor unrest at that time, and the President had ordered that all saloons in the strike districts be closed. Wilson's stance wasn't as clear-cut as the article title implied. What it actually said was,
Major Simmons, who has charge of the federal troops in the northern coal fields, went so far as to request and urge Governor Ammons to close all of the saloons in the entire state, including Denver and Pueblo, this with with the sanction of the president. Is there any doubt that the closing of the saloons by sanction of President Wilson has been a good thing for Colorado . Why not Keep them closed everywhere?
Both of the articles were paid advertisements, funded by lobbying groups. History tells us that Wilson opposed Prohibition, considering alcohol consumption to be a personal decision.
The region-by-region approach to banning alcohol worked. Prohibition went into effect in Colorado on January 1, 1916. The nationwide ban became effective on January 17, 1920.
Many thanks to the Golden Rotary Club for sponsoring for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of September.
